2018 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS engine

Exterior lighting
General notes USA only: if you wish to drive during the daytime
without lights, switch off the Daytime run‐
ning lamps function via the on-board computer
( Y
page 198).
Setting the exterior lighting
Setting options Exterior lighting can be set using: R
the light switch ( Y
page 105)R
the combination switch ( Y
page 106)R
the on-board computer ( Y
page 198)
Light switch Operation
G c
Left-hand standing lampsH d
Right-hand standing lampsI `
Parking lamps, license plate and
instrument cluster lightingJ X
Automatic headlamp mode, controlled
by the light sensor
K X
Low-beam/high-beam headlamps
If you hear a warning tone when you leave the
vehicle, the lights may still be switched on. X
Turn the light switch to X .
The exterior lighting (except the parking/stand-
ing lamps) switches off automatically if you: R
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock R
open the driver's door with the SmartKey in
position 0 in the ignition lock Automatic headlamp mode
G WARNING
When the light switch is set to X , the low-
beam headlamps may not be switched on
automatically if there is fog, snow or other
causes of poor visibility due to the weather
conditions such as spray. There is a risk of an
accident.
In such situations, turn the light switch to
X .
The automatic headlamp feature is only an aid.
The driver is responsible for the vehicle's light-
ing at all times.
X is the favored light switch position.
The light setting is automatically selected
according to the brightness of the ambient light,
but not in the event of poor visibility due to
weather conditions such as fog, snow or spray. R
With the SmartKey in position 1 in the ignition
lock: the parking lamps are switched on/off
automatically depending on the brightness of
the ambient light. R
If you have switched on the Daytime run‐
ning lamps function in the on-board com-
puter, the daytime running lamps or the park-
ing lamps and low-beam headlamps are
switched on or off automatically while the
engine is running, depending on the bright-
ness of the ambient light. X
To switch on the automatic headlamps:
turn the light switch to the X position.
Canada only: the daytime running lamps
improve the visibility of your vehicle during the
day. The daytime running lamps function is
required by law in Canada. It cannot therefore
be deactivated.
When the engine is running and the vehicle is
stationary: if you move the selector lever from a
driving position to P , the daytime running
lamps/low beam headlamps go out after three
minutes.
When the engine is running, the vehicle is sta-
tionary and in bright ambient light: if you turn the
light switch to the ` position, the daytime
running lamps and parking lamps switch on.
If the engine is running and you turn the light
switch to the X position, the manual settings
take precedence over the daytime running
lamps.Exterior lighting 105
Lights and windshield wipers Z

USA only: the daytime running lamps improve
the visibility of your vehicle during the day. To do
this, the Daytime running lamps
function
must be switched on using the on-board com-
puter ( Y
page 198).
If the engine is running and you turn the light
switch to the ` or X position, the manual
settings take precedence over the daytime run-
ning lamps.
Low-beam headlamps
G WARNING
When the light switch is set to X , the low-
beam headlamps may not be switched on
automatically if there is fog, snow or other
causes of poor visibility due to the weather
conditions such as spray. There is a risk of an
accident.
In such situations, turn the light switch to
X .
Even if the light sensor does not detect that it is
dark, the parking lamps and low-beam head-
lamps switch on when the ignition is switched on
and the light switch is set to the X position.
This is a particularly useful function in the event
of rain and fog. X
To switch on the low beam headlamps:
turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to posi-
tion 2 or start the engine.X
Turn the light switch to the X position.
The green X indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
Parking lamps
! If the battery charge is very low, the parking
lamps or standing lamps are automatically
switched off to enable the next engine start.
Always park your vehicle safely and in a well lit
area, in accordance with the relevant legal
stipulations. Avoid using the ` parking
lamps over a period of several hours. If pos-
sible, switch on the right-hand d or left-
hand c standing lamps.X
To switch on the parking lamps: turn the
light switch to the ` position.
The green ` indicator lamp on the instru-
ment cluster lights up. Standing lamps Switching on the standing lamps ensures the
corresponding side of the vehicle is illuminated. X
To switch on the standing lamps: turn the
SmartKey to position 0 in the ignition lock or
remove the SmartKey. X
Turn the light switch to the c (left-hand
side of the vehicle) or d (right-hand side of
the vehicle) position.
Combination switch
C
High-beam headlamps D
Turn signal, right

Problems with the windshield wipers Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The windshield wipers
are jammed. Leaves or snow, for example, are obstructing windshield wiper move-
ment. The wiper motor has been deactivated. X
Switch off the engine. X
Remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
or, on vehicles with KEYLESS ‑ GO:X
Open the driver's door.
The vehicle electronics now have status 0 . This is the same as the
SmartKey having been removed. X
Remove the cause of the obstruction. X
Switch the windshield wipers back on.
The windshield wipers
fail completely. The windshield wiper drive is malfunctioning. X
Select another wiper speed on the combination switch. X
Have the windshield wipers checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
The windshield washer
fluid from the spray noz-
zles no longer hits the
center of the windshield. The spray nozzles are misaligned. X
Have the spray nozzles adjusted at a qualified specialist workshop. Windshield wipers 111
Lights and windshield wipers Z

Overview of climate control systems
General notes Observe the settings recommended on the fol-
lowing pages. The windows could otherwise fog
up.
To prevent the windows from fogging up: R
switch off climate control only briefly R
switch on air-recirculation mode only briefly R
switch on the cooling with air dehumidifica-
tion function R
switch on the defrost windshield function
briefly, if required
Climate control regulates the temperature and
the humidity in the vehicle interior and filters
undesirable substances out of the air.
Climate control can only be operated when the
engine is running. Optimum operation is only
achieved with the side windows and roof closed.
The residual heat function can only be activated
or deactivated with the ignition switched off
( Y
page 120). i Ventilate the vehicle for a brief period during
warm weather, e.g. using the convenience
opening feature ( Y
page 88). This will speed
up the cooling process and the desired inte-
rior temperature will be reached more
quickly.
i The integrated filter filters out most parti-
cles of dust and soot and completely filters
out pollen. It also reduces gaseous pollutants
and odors. A clogged filter reduces the
amount of air supplied to the vehicle interior.
For this reason, you should always observe
the interval for replacing the filter, which is
specified in the Maintenance Booklet. As it
depends on environmental conditions, e.g.
heavy air pollution, the interval may be
shorter than stated in the Maintenance Book-
let.
i It is possible that the residual heat function
may be activated automatically an hour after
the SmartKey is removed. The vehicle is then
ventilated for 30 minutes to dry the automatic
climate control.
Control panel for dual-zone automatic climate control
Canada only
C
Sets the temperature, left ( Y
page 117)
D
Defrosts the windshield ( Y
page 118)

Switch off the "Windshield defrosting" function
as soon as the windshield is clear again. X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the ignition
lock ( Y
page 123).X
To activate: press the d button.
The indicator lamp in the d button lights
up.
The climate control system switches to the
following functions: R
high airflow R
high temperature R
air distribution to the windshield and front
side windows R
air-recirculation mode off
If the battery is not sufficiently charged, blower
output may be reduced. Once the battery is suf-
ficiently charged again, full blower output will be
available again. X
To deactivate: press the d button.
The indicator lamp in the d button goes
out. The previously selected settings are
restored. Air-recirculation mode remains
deactivated.
MAX COOL maximum cooling The MAX COOL function is only available in vehi-
cles for the USA.
MAX COOL is only operational when the engine
is running. X
To activate: press the

Problems with the rear window defroster Problem
Possible causes/consequences and P Solutions
The rear window
defroster has deactiva-
ted prematurely or can-
not be activated. The battery has not been sufficiently charged. X
Switch off any consumers that are not required, e.g. reading lamps,
interior lighting or the seat heating.
When the battery is sufficiently charged, the rear window defroster
can be activated again.
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off
General notes You can deactivate the flow of fresh air if
unpleasant odors are entering the vehicle from
outside. The air already inside the vehicle will
then be recirculated.
If you switch on air-recirculation mode, the win-
dows can fog up more quickly, in particular at
low temperatures. Only use air-recirculation
mode briefly to prevent the windows from fog-
ging up.
Activating/deactivating X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the ignition
lock ( Y
page 123).X
To activate: press the r button.
The indicator lamp in the r button lights
up.
Dual-zone automatic climate control: air-recir-
culation mode is automatically activated at high
outside temperatures.
3-zone automatic climate control: air-recircula-
tion mode is automatically activated at high lev-
els of pollution or at high outside temperatures.
When air-recirculation mode is activated auto-
matically, the indicator lamp above the r
button does not light up. Outside air is added
after approximately 30 minutes. X
To deactivate: press the r button.
The indicator lamp in the r button goes
out. Air-recirculation mode deactivates automati-
cally: R
after approximately five minutes at outside
temperatures below approximately 41 ‡
(5 †) R
after approximately five minutes if cooling
with air dehumidification is deactivated R
after approximately 30 minutes at outside
temperatures above approximately 41 ‡
(5 †) if the "Cooling with air dehumidifica-
tion" function is activated
Switching the residual heat on or off
General notes The residual heat function is only available with
3-zone automatic climate control.
It is possible to make use of the residual heat of
the engine to continue heating the vehicle for
approximately 30 minutes after the engine has
been switched off. The heating time depends on
the set interior temperature.
Activating/deactivating X
Turn the SmartKey to position 0 in the ignition
lock or remove it ( Y
page 123).X
To switch on: press the K button.
The indicator lamp in the K button lights
up.
If the residual heat function is activated, the
windows may fog up on the inside.
The blower will run at a low speed regardless of
the airflow setting.
If you activate the residual heat function at high
temperatures, only the ventilation will be acti-
vated. The blower runs at medium speed.120
Operating the climate control systems
Climate control

Notes on breaking-in a new vehicle
Important safety notes The sensor system of some driving and driving
safety systems adjusts automatically while a
certain distance is being driven after the vehicle
has been delivered or after repairs. Full system
effectiveness is not reached until the end of this
teach-in procedure.
New and replaced brake pads and discs only
reach their optimum braking effect after several
hundred kilometers of driving. Compensate for
this by applying greater force to the brake pedal.
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) The more you look after the engine when it is
new, the more satisfied you will be with its per-
formance in the future. R
You should therefore drive at varying vehicle
and engine speeds for the first 1000 miles
(1500 km). R
Avoid heavy loads, e.g. driving at full throttle,
during this period. R
Change gear in good time, before the tach-
ometer needle is

for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
G WARNING
If the parking brake has not been fully
released when driving, the parking brake can: R
overheat and cause a fire R
lose its hold function.
There is a risk of fire and an accident. Release
the parking brake fully before driving off.
! Do not warm up the engine with the vehicle
stationary. Drive off immediately. Avoid high
engine speeds and driving at full throttle until
the engine has reached its operating temper-
ature.
Only shift the automatic transmission to the
desired drive position when the vehicle is sta-
tionary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery roads.
You could otherwise damage the drive train.
! Mercedes-AMG vehicles: at low engine oil
temperatures below 68 ‡ (+20 †), the max-
imum engine speed is restricted in order to
protect the engine. To protect the engine and
maintain smooth engine operation, avoid driv-
ing at full throttle when the engine is cold. Key positions
SmartKey
Z
To remove the SmartKey
(shift the transmission to position P )G
Power supply for some consumers, such as
the windshield wipers H
Ignition (power supply for all consumers)
and drive position I
To start the engine
i The SmartKey can be turned in the ignition
lock even if it is not the correct SmartKey for
the vehicle. The ignition is not switched on.
The engine cannot be started.
KEYLESS-GO
General notes Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO are equipped with
SmartKeys featuring the integrated KEYLESS-
GO function and a detachable Start/Stop but-
ton.
The Start/Stop button must be inserted in the
ignition lock and the SmartKey must be in the
vehicle.
When you insert the Start/Stop button into the
ignition lock, the system needs approximately
two seconds recognition time. You can then use
the Start/Stop button.
Pressing the Start/Stop button several times in
succession corresponds to the different Smart-
Key positions in the ignition lock. This is only the
case if you are not depressing the brake pedal.
If you depress the brake pedal and press the
Start/Stop button, the engine starts immedi-
ately.
A check which periodically establishes a radio
connection between the vehicle and the Smart-
Key determines whether a valid SmartKey is in Driving 123
Driving and parking Z